Display device



Dec. 24, 1929.

' A. G. STEEN DISPLAY DEVI GE Filed June 25. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 47 45 ANDREW C'Jrzsm abtmw Dec.24, 1929. A. G. STEEN 1,740,842

' DISPLAY DEVICE Filed June 25. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a'vwwnb oz AN EEW C7. JrEE/v.

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 PATENT OFFICE ANDREW G. STEEN, O F BROOKLYN, NEW YOIBK DISPLAY DEVICE Application filed .Tune 25,

This invention relates to display devices and in particular to one employing an illusion effect for enhancing its advertising value.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a dis lay device in which the words and articles splayed are reflected in such a manner as to make their appearance and disappearance illusory. k

A further object of the invention is to provide a casing in which is disposed a transparent mirror which will reflect the articles to be advertised under certain conditions and under diiierent conditions, will cause the advertising matter to completely disappear, the device embodying suitable mechanism for giving the articles to be displayed an attention-attracting movement and also for providing means whereby the lettering used in connection with the article or wording is continually chan ed.

A further 0 ject of the invention is to'provide a device of the character referred to in which the article to be advertised will not be apparent to the observer in reality, the reflection thereof only being apparent.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention that they may embody the same in the various modifications in structure and relation contemplated, a drawing depicting a preferred form has been annexed as a part of this disclosure and in such drawing, similar reference characters denote correspond ing parts throughout all the views, of which,

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of my improved advertising display device illustrating how the advertisement would appear thereon in use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View in elevation showing the arrangement of the mechanism, the turn table upon which is mounted the object to be displayed and the obliquely disposed reflecting mirror.

Figure 3 is a plan view in section of the lower portion of the device illustrating the relative position of the mechanism used in carrying out the operations of the display device, and

Fi re 4 is a view of the lower portion ofFigure 2 showing the use of a modified 1928. Serial No. 288,121.

form of display holder or belt upon which is mounted lettering or objects that are to be advertised.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 5 denotes a rectangular casing provided with a front opening 6 and rear opening 7 bounded by the side walls 8 and upper and lower walls 9 and 10 respectively, the side walls being grooved at an angle at at 11 to accommodate a piece of plain glass 12 or as it will be hereinafter mrmed, a transparent mirror. The side walls 8 are also provided with obliquely disposed tapes 13 or markings which Will hide the point in the side walls at which the transparent mirror 12 is positioned, these markings 13 running parallel to the transparent mirror.

The bottom wall 10 is provided with'a depending shield lt of rectangular formation, the sides of which slope inwardly to provide a space 15 between the front wall 16' of the lower part of the casing and the shield 14. The lower part of the casing constitutes a receptacle 17 in which is positioned, the mechanism for operating the display device. The

spaces 15 hereinbefore referred to, are arranged to accommodate the electric lights 18 which are provided with the shields 19 or reflectors which cast the light downwardly upon the turn table and word display device. The lights are connected in circuit 20, the wires 22 of which, exterior of the cas mg 5, are arrangedto be connected to a source of current supply. One wall of the container is arranged to receive the contacts 23 which are in the lighting circuit 20 and which bear against the metallic segments 24 mounted on the rotatin wheels 25 which are mounted in a suitable hracket 26, the wheels being carried on aishaft 27 which is journalled in the upturned end of the standard 26,,said shaft also supporting the drive wheel 28 which, through the medium of a belt 29, is operated from a wheel 30 secured to the main drive shaft 31. This shaft 31 is mounted in the standards 32 and 33 and carries at one extremity, the bevelled pinion 34 which meshes with the bevelled gear 35 carried on the turn table shaft or stud 36, the turn table being indicated by the numeral 37 and being aris secured to the end of the motor shaft 41, the motor being indicated by the numeral 42 and being positioned in any suitable manner on the floor of the receptacle or bottom of the casing. This motor may be substituted in a spring wound motor if it is desired.

The shaft 31 also carries a pulley 43 which is connected to a pulley 44 on an adjacent shaft 45 through the medium of the belt 46. This shaft 45 is journalled in its ends in the standard 47 and carries adjacent one end of the turn table, a letter carrying block 48. It will be noted in Figure 3 that while the block or strip is of rectangular formation, it can just as well be madewith any number of sides and the lettering can be secured thereto in any suitable manner. The driving mechanism 34 and 35 of the turn table is preferably housed as at 49 and the bottom of the box and all of the mechanism including the turn table and the word or letter holding member 48 are painted a black or dark color so that they will not reflect the light.

It is quite evident, therefore, that the lettering indicated by the numeral 50 being white or of a light color and the article 38 to be displayed will reflect the light from the bulbs 18 with the result that a transparent mirror 11 will reflect the same and the illussion is produced through the medium of the wheels 25, the strips 24 thereon being so arranged that they will alternately make and break the light circuit 20 to extinguish and turn on the light. When the lights are on, the reflection will occur and the lettering will be moving on the transparent mirror while the object to be displayed, namely, the watch will be rotated in a circle-to provide an attention-attracting medium.

It is quite evident that when the lights are turned off, the member 12 being transparent, will permit one to look entirely through the casing 5 and see the background at the rear thereof. This background will be preferably light colored so that no reflection of the object to be displayed can be detected when the lights are not on.

In referring to Figure 4, substantially the same mechanism is used as has been heretofore referred to, that is, the motor 42 has been employed to drive the shaft 31 through the medium of the worm gear and worm wheel,

40 and 39 respectively, but instead of using the belt 46 to drive the letter displaying mem- I bar, it is arranged to revolve a shaft 51 which is mounted in suitable standard 52 and which is arranged to carry a roller 53 over which travels an endless belt 54 of any desired width.

This belt 54 at its opposite end travels about the free roller 55 which is mounted on the shaft 56 journalled in the standard 57.

Any object may be secured to the belt such as block letters, small models of coins for instance, as indicated by the numeral 58, so that when the lights 18 are turned off and on through the medium of the mechanism illustrated'in Figure 2, the members or objects 58 will be displayed on the transparent mirror 2 and with this arrangement it is possible to produce for instance, a rain of coins for use in bank advertisements or rows of lettering can be displayed which will be continuously readable until the entire message has been displayed. a

If desired, one end of the casing may be arranged so that it is removable whereby access may be had to the driving mechanism and to the display turn table and letter displaying device.

It is quite evident that the letters can be changed with a minimum of trouble and it is simply necessary to lay the object upon the turn table 37 in order that the same will be effectively displayed.

It is quite evident therefore that I have provided an advertising device in which suitable lettering may be employed, the article itself may be displayed in movement to attract attention and consequently add to the advertising value.

It is also evident that through the arrangement of my device, curiosity is aroused in the spectator y causing the lettering and the objects displayed to appear and disappear at intervals, it of course being understood that the transparent mirror, when the lights are not on, is not apparent to the observer and consequently the illusion effect is efliciently carried out. I

While I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I realize that in practice various alterations therein may be'made. I therefore reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of the details of construction'or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlated parts without departing from the spirit of thein vent-ion or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by United StatesLetters Patent is v 1. A display device comprising a casing having an opening therethroug h, atransparent mirror obliquely disposed in said opening, a turn table in the bottom of the casing beneath said mirror for supporting an article to be displayed, a character holding member adjacent said turn table, means for revolving the turn table and the character member, an illuminating member and means for turning the illuminating member on and off so that the reflection of the article and the characters will appear and disappear in said mirror.

2. A display device comprising a casing having an opening therethrough, a transparent reflecting member disposed obliquely in said opening, a turn table-in the bottom of the casing, a word display member adjacent the turn table, means for operating both of said members, lights for illuminating the members, a circuit breaker operable by the member, operating means for causing reflection of an article and words on the display inember in said transparent reflecting mem- In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

ANDREW G. STEEN. 11. 8.] 

